The leadership of the National Bar Association (NBA), together with members of the group’s Tennessee affiliate chapters, was in Nashville today for a rally to support the three state representatives who faced expulsion action last week. Those scheduled to be in attendance included NBA President Lonita Baker of Louisville and Vice President of Membership Ashley Upkins of Nashville. The day included a rally at 3:30 p.m., attendance at the Metro Council’s 4 p.m. meeting to consider reappointing Rep. Justin Jones and a march to the state capitol at 5 p.m. CDT.

Tennessee has lost millions in funding for birth control, pregnancy testing and basic infertility services for low-income individuals according to the Commercial Appeal. A spokesperson for Gov. Bill Lee said he will propose an amendment to the state budget to make up for the loss. The budget amendment reportedly will include $7.5 million in recurring funding and $1.8 million in non-recurring funding for the current fiscal year. The state lost the funding when the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services determined that it violated requirements that recipients be made aware of all their options, including abortion, after a positive pregnancy test. Tennessee said it would advise individuals of "all legal options."

The U.S. government today filed an emergency motion to stay a federal judge's ruling that would revoke FDA approval of the abortion pill mifepristone, The Hill reports. Last Friday, a federal judge in Texas ruled the FDA violated its statutory duty in approving the drug by basing its decision on “unsound reasoning and studies that did not support its conclusions.” In the motion filed with the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, the government argues that the ruling was "especially unwarranted" because it thwarts the FDA's scientific judgment and severely harms women. Tennessee Lookout has more on the case. Adding to the volatile legal landscape around abortion, a federal judge in Washington state on Friday issued a seemingly conflicting injunction that prevented federal regulators from altering access to the drug according to the Commercial Appeal.

Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Sharon Lee recently attended a graduation ceremony of the Monroe County General Sessions Veterans Court and was recognized with the George P. Thomas Memorial Award for her contributions to the program. The award is named for George Thomas, one of the early founders of Vet to Vet. Lee, who is from Monroe County, congratulated the graduates and said they should feel a sense of accomplishment for their hard work. Read more about the event from the Administrative Office of the Courts. See a photo from the day.

Paul Burch joined the TBA staff this week as the new Digital Media and Leadership Development Coordinator. Burch, a native of Washington, D.C., is a longtime resident of Nashville and most recently served as editor for Gibson & Epiphone Instruments. Burch is also a music producer and composer whose scoring credits include former First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move program and films for HBO and Turner Classic Movies. He can be reached at 615-383-7421 or pburch@tnbar.org.

ABC News 24 reports that Gov. Bill Lee made an emergency declaration to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Lewis, Macon, McNairy, Rutherford, Tipton and Wayne counties for debris removal and emergency protective measures related to the March 31 and April 1 tornado and severe weather response. If that request is granted, FEMA will also provide direct aid to eligible Tennessee residents in the requested counties for disaster-related costs and expenses. 

Two open positions on the TBA Board of Governors will be filled by the body when it convenes on June 16 at the TBA Annual Convention in Knoxville. During its spring meeting last weekend in Montgomery, Alabama, the board declared the vacancies in accordance with Article 47 of the TBA Bylaws. The two openings are for a West Tennessee Grand Division Governor (one-year term) and a Middle Tennessee Grand Division Governor (one-year term). To be considered for either position, email TBA Interim Executive Director Barry Kolar with your interest by June 1. Please include a resume with your submission as well as any other information that you would like considered by the TBA Board of Governors.

Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland says that the results of a federal investigation into the Memphis Police Department (MPD) will show whether Tyre Nichols’ death was part of broader cultural issues in the MPD, reports The Daily Memphian. During an appearance on the paper’s On the Record podcast, Strickland did not dismiss the idea that the department’s culture contributed to the lack of intervention observed before and after Nichols’ encounter with MPD. “It certainly brings up a question of whether there is a culture problem, whether this was just the officers who were there or is there a bigger problem in the police department,” Strickland said. 

Lawyers for the city of Nashville yesterday argued before a three-judge panel to block a new law that cuts the Metro Council in half from 40 to 20, calling it an unconstitutional intrusion into local governance with an unrealistic timeline. Axios Nashville reports that the law requires Metro to reshape the Aug. 3 election by creating and approving new district maps by the May 18 filing deadline. If the council misses the deadline, the law would extend existing members' terms by one year. The panel will decide if part or all of the law should be blocked while the court battle is underway.

Gov. Bill Lee last week signed a law allowing private schools to contract with local law enforcement so they can hire school resource officers. The law takes effect immediately. Supporters said the bill was needed to clarify statutes that had kept private schools from working with local governments to hire school resource officers. The law now clears the path for them to do so, but does not make it a requirement. The Associated Press has the full story.